Asha baby!

[Asha]

I've been a member for about 4-5 months. The more I read about your pups the more confused I am about Asha's breed. I'm pretty much stuck on a brindled Heinz 57, but want your opinions. She's pretty small, only 37 pounds. I'm guessing she's anywhere from 5 to 7 months old. She's extremely intelligent and pretty well-behaved, definitely a fast learner. She's great around dogs and kids. I've taken her to pretty large gatherings, I'm talking thousands of people, and she did great. She's really agile and at almost full speed she can jump over our front steps, at least a 5 foot span, into the house and basically stop on a dime. She chases our cats but is pretty nice to all of them and is good buddies with one of them.
I don't see Dutch Shepherd in her face at all, but cannot figure out what's there. I need your expertise, and as I've always said, I won't be heart broken if she's not a DS, I just can't see her in any other breed I've come across. It's very puzzling not having a clue what she might be , drives me totally nuts sometimes.
Sorry about the blurry pics, she can't stand still for a sec. Also, I couldn't get any with her ears up

[Karin]

I think if we are honest, it is just impossible to know. She kind of has that lab/shepherd thing that a lot of rescues/shelters use but really I think that means it is not possible to know. You could do that DNA test. While it would not pick up a dutch shepherd, it might pick up other breeds.

With such a lovely temperament, you scored either way.

[Dutchringgirl]

My neighbor adopted a lab/shepherd LOL.

Other than the brindle I dont see any DS.

[Asha]

Yeah, I kinda figured the general consensus would be not a DS. When she was a puppy, it was a lot easier to lump her into the DS mix category, mainly for me at least because of how smart she is. But as she grows I don't see much of anything aside from the coat and perhaps the way her belly tucks that might meet standards, plus she's so darned tiny.
From those pics can you tell how big she might grow to? She's still in her first year and only about 4 inches taller than our beagle. I'm hoping she'll get at least a little bigger. Does anyone know when small-medium sized dogs really stop growing? How much do they grow the second half of their first year?

[Asha]

Come on guys, I know you love to type...

[gingerman]

Actually the body seems pretty dutchie, and the size would be on target, especially if he's closer to 5 months, the paws look small and there is something non-shepherd like in the face in the pics, but it could totally be the pics, is the face shepherd like?

[Asha]

I'm pretty sure she's not a DS at all. I think the brindle comes from pit bull or boxer with possibly GSD, lab or blue heeler in there, basically a pretty awesome Heinz 57! But she definitely doesn't have the drive that you guys talk about. I posted those pics more to see what the braniacs on the forum might think she is and to maybe get a guess on how big she might get because my vet has basically said "I have no idea." I stick around here pretty much just to check out all the awesome photos of Dutch Shepherds and always keep up with the medical thread because it is extremely informative for any dog owner, as are many of the other threads.

[Stacy_R]

I'm pretty sure she's not a DS at all. I think the brindle comes from pit bull or boxer with possibly GSD, lab or blue heeler in there, basically a pretty awesome Heinz 57!

I am no DS expert...just a dog person I thought her head looked kind of pit/labby mix in the pictures and maybe pit is where the brindle comes from??? (and ps..Tyson is poking me and chewing on me as I type... "c'mom, mom...outside...the sun is shining!!! let's go NOW!!! okay, fine...I will just annoy you with my squeaky toy until you relent [toss, catch, squeaaaaaaak...lather, rinse, repeat].")

Oh, and I love the picture of her on the couch. "Yes, mom, I am ready for my close-up."

Asha baby is beautiful, no matter what she is and is lucky to have you as her mom!!

Crud...Tyson found his tennis ball...gotta go!!